Another rod advice thread...

[MJinMN]

So, I've spent a ton of time trying to research options, reading sticky posts and searching past threads.  After all of that, I'm looking for some final advice....

 

Generally I'm looking for a good all-around spinning rod.  I have three daughters and we fish multi-species.  I have lighter rods for panfish and some heavier rods for large baits, so I was thinking I would go with MF action.  I thought around 6'6" would be best for kids to be able to cast accurately with and also for boat safety.  I was generally thinking a budget of $75 to $100.  The rods I'm coming up with in my search are:

-     Fenwick HMG
-     Lew's TP1 Speed Stick

-     Daiwa Fuego (just came out, anyone who has experience?)

-     Abu Garcia Veritas 2.0 - would MF be too stiff?

-     Something used

 

There's also a Cabela's "Tournament Trail" IM8 rod that feels good but have read some reports of tips snapping.  Anything else I'm missing or should be considering?  Comments?  Thanks in advance.... 

[kbeeb374]

Well I don't know what the other rod is but I have an HMG and love it.  I have the 6'9'' MLXF for dropshotting though.  I can't believe the MF would be worse though.  its a great rod at a great price.

[fishnkamp]

Boy there are some really nice rods available in that range. Here are some nice rods to consider.

Take a look at Powell Rods. They have a series called Inferno. Take a look at the Inferno 6103. Itis their 6'10 all around rod. They should be able to handle that stick fine. Powell rods are very lightweight.

St Croix has a Triumph that might be nice.

I fish several Abu Veritas rods.  If you can go put one in your hand I recommend it Abu rods tend to run a bit on the heavier side so like my frog rod is a Veritas MH not heavy.  In your case their 6'6 ML might be more what you want. I am not sure though as I have not had one in my hand.

 If you look on Academy Sports and outdoors they have a few interesting rods as well. They have an All Star AS Nano series 6'6" M with a handle that is not so long as some others.  he price is good as well.  

They also have the Falcon Bucoo Open Hook 6'6" Medium on sale for around $89 

[new2BC4bass]

Not fished those rods except for the HMG.  I have models in both spinning and casting.  I've always felt Fenwick gave good value for your money.  My Abu rods are not that model, but they do run heavy......especially my Villain 7'6" MHF casting rod.  My Villain spinning rod runs closer to spec.

[MJinMN]

53 minutes ago, fishnkamp said:

Take a look at Powell Rods. They have a series called Inferno. Take a look at the Inferno 6103. Itis their 6'10 all around rod.

 

Thank you for all the suggestions.  I had looked at the Powells given the positive reputations on these boards.  I was a little worried that with all the rods having XF tips that it wouldn't be great for casting and potentially limited to single hook applications.  Thoughts?  Also, I don't know any place nearby that carries them, do you like the reel seat?  I'm use to ones that would have cork on the back rather than what I think is called the skeleton?

 

I will trek back to Cabela's this weekend and try to decide whether the ML Veritas would work.  That might be a fun setup for finesse applications and lighter weight stuff.  Nice pair with the Ci4+?  Also wonder if I could use that jigging for walleye... hmmm.

 

Will also check out the Triumph.  I figure the Avid X is really about exactly what I'd like, I just can't justify spending that much given the amount of abuse I put rods through and the amount I fish.  I also really like the lifetime warranty on the HMG.

 

Thank you for the suggestions.

[Loomis13]

 

Spinning rods tend to be slightly different than casting rods. In my experience a XF spinning rod is not too similar to an XF casting rod. So, in my opinion, a XF spinning would okay for treble baits but a F would be better. Although you didnt mention it, I think the NEW St. Croix Mojo Bass rods are the best "bang for the buck" rod right now. They have the same graphite (SCIII) as the avid x does but at 80$ less. 

[roadwarrior]

[PatrickKnight]

I love my HMG. Best $100 spinning rod I have purchased.

[fishnkamp]

I have a friend that uses a ST Croix Avid X 6'8" M XF to throw Sencos weightless, texas rigged with 1/8 to 1/4 ounce weight and also on the weedless wacky jigs. He also throws a lot of lightweight texas rigged creature baits.  He loves that rod for those baits. I recently picked one up at Bass Pro. It says it is a 6'8" MXF but the tip bends down to the 3rd almost 4th regular guide. If you go read some of his fishing reports on baybass.com you can see the river monsters he pulls in. When you fish the Potomac River you run into big stripers, catfish and snakeheads.  I say all of this because each rod maker has its' own "standard" so you need to feel it and see if you like it.  What state do you live in. You can easily check some of these manufacturer's websites to see if you have a dealer near you.

[lonnie g]

On ‎1‎/‎10‎/‎2017 at 4:36 PM, MJinMN said:

So, I've spent a ton of time trying to research options, reading sticky posts and searching past threads.  After all of that, I'm looking for some final advice....

 

Generally I'm looking for a good all-around spinning rod.  I have three daughters and we fish multi-species.  I have lighter rods for panfish and some heavier rods for large baits, so I was thinking I would go with MF action.  I thought around 6'6" would be best for kids to be able to cast accurately with and also for boat safety.  I was generally thinking a budget of $75 to $100.  The rods I'm coming up with in my search are:

-     Fenwick HMG
-     Lew's TP1 Speed Stick

-     Daiwa Fuego (just came out, anyone who has experience?)

-     Abu Garcia Veritas 2.0 - would MF be too stiff?

-     Something used

 

There's also a Cabela's "Tournament Trail" IM8 rod that feels good but have read some reports of tips snapping.  Anything else I'm missing or should be considering?  Comments?  Thanks in advance.... 

have seen a lot of great replies on the hmg. have you seen peter t. video on new lews I think $69

[MJinMN]

4 minutes ago, lonnie g said:

have seen a lot of great replies on the hmg. have you seen peter t. video on new lews I think $69

 

Have not seen the video.  I know that Lews is putting out a lot more length/stiffness combinations for a number of their rods in 2017.  Based on specs, I thought that the TP1 Speed Stick was the best fit - they have 6'6" MF rod with IM8 graphite and microwave guides.  Have only found that at $99 and am trying to find a place to check one out.  What model were you referring to?

[lonnie g]

13 minutes ago, MJinMN said:

 

Have not seen the video.  I know that Lews is putting out a lot more length/stiffness combinations for a number of their rods in 2017.  Based on specs, I thought that the TP1 Speed Stick was the best fit - they have 6'6" MF rod with IM8 graphite and microwave guides.  Have only found that at $99 and am trying to find a place to check one out.  What model were you referring to?

petertfishing.com   match stick im6 rods

[Jesse Dillon]

I've seen Powell rods on Dicks Sporting Goods website but couldnt tell you if they have any in store. 

[The Bassman]

I have a Cabela's Tourney Trail 5'9" ML that I really like. It's super light and plenty durable. Seems to go on sale regularly, too.

[Hopslam]

I love my HMG have the 6'6" MF. I've literally used it for everything except big jigs, frogs, drop shot and 110 jerkbaits. But it is my main plastics rod, weightless senkos, 1/8oz weights, and shakeyhead are great for it.